Halloween originated from Pagan festival called Samhain, which was celebrated by the Ancient Celts of Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The Christian festival of ‘All Hallow’s Eve’ occurred around the same time of Samhain, with elements of the latter festival mixing with the former. Halloween is largely a celebration for Pagan idolators, and satan-worshippers, witches and the like. It is associated with evil, devils, demons and dark, sinister acts. None of these are approved of in Islam. Even some Christians are distancing themselves from Halloween.

Today, Halloween is largely a commercialised festival, which means big business for the candy stores and confectioners who make grand sales on the days leading to it. Children, teenagers and even adults go around dressed in crazy costumes, scary and skimpy, from door to door begging for money, sweets, or to simply scare people. Others get drunk partying, or go around town pranking innocent people. In short, it’s a night of nuisance! (Imagine what the police and medics have to deal with…)

As Muslims, we direct our efforts to please Allah (The One True God) alone. This means having a good intention, doing good, and keeping away from evil. Muslims have a long standing enmity with the devil, Satan. Satan (may he be cursed) was disobedient to Allah. And Satan was an enemy to our father, Adam- The first man. Satan’s mission is to lead us to destruction and hellfire. As Muslims our ongoing battle with Satan means we must avoid his misleading paths to evil (may he be cursed). Satan calls to idol worship, to harming ourselves, to harming people, creating mischief, following impure desires, destroying society among many other vices.

Muslims fight the Satan away, by remembering Allah, The Creator of all. So as Muslims, we’d rather be good citizens by maintaining peace and tranquillity in the community. Sure we love to give gifts, and we love sharing food, but just not on a night of notoriety.

Reciting Takbeer: Let us not forget to make the Takbeer following the obligatory prayers, starting after Fajr on Arafat day, till when the sun sets on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. (see below for details).

‘It is Sunnah to recite takbeer at any time during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and all the days of Tashreeq, starting from the beginning of the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah (i.e., from sunset on the last day of Dhu’l-Qa’dah) until the end of the days of al-Tashreeq, which is when the sun sets on the thirteenth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah).

With regard to at certain times, it starts from Fajr on the day of ‘Arafah and lasts until the sun sets on the last day of the days of Tashreeq, in addition to the takbeer that may be recited at any time. So when a person says the tasleem at the end of the obligatory prayer, he should pray for forgiveness (by saying Astaghfir-Allaah) three times, and say, “Allaahumma anta al-salaam wa minka al-salaam, tabaarakta yaa dhaa’l-jalaali wa’l-ikraam (“O Allaah, You are al-Salaam [the One Who is free from all defects and deficiencies), and from You is all peace, blessed are You, O possessor of majesty and honour)”, then start the takbeer.

{Takbeer: Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahi’l-hamd(Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and to Allaah be praise). }

This is for those who are not on Hajj. The pilgrims should start the takbeer recited after prayer from Zuhr on the Day of Sacrifice (the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah).

We are now in the sacred month of Dhul Qi’dah walhamdulillah and we would like to remind ourselves about the importance of the four sacred months in Islam. Dhul Qi’dah is the 11th month of the Islamic calendar. The sacred months are Rajab, Dhul Qid’ah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram, the 7th, 11th, 12th and 1st month of the Islamic Hijri calander respectively. (see Surah Tawbah, Qur’an chapter 9 verse 36). We should also prepare for the Hajj season, and endeavour to perform our obligatory Hajj for the sake of Allah, as soon as we have the means/ability.

(We should be extra careful not to sin, all the time, but particularly in the sacred months, and avoid aggression)

May Allah forgive us, be merciful to us and guide us, for He is the Most Gracious the Most Merciful, The Ever-Relenting. May Allah guide and forgive us and enable us to witness and observe many Hajj and Umrah in His obedience, with sincerity and strength and excellence. May Allah unite us in jannat al firdaus. Allah bless His final messenger Muhammad ibn Abdillah in abundance. Amin